Newton Sweet Tomatoes Fatal Crash Trial To Wrap

NEWTON, MA — The trial of a man who crashed his car into a local pizza shop and the people inside, killing two, injuring others is set to come to a close Thursday. A week after the trial began, the jury is set to hear the closing arguments in the case.

Brad Casler of Newton, who has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, is accused of driving his Volkswagen SUV into the Sweet Tomatoes Pizza shop on March 1, 2016, killing Eleanor Miele and Gregory Morin and injuring several others. Casler himself was not seriously injured.

Both the prosecutor and defense attorneys agreed that Casler's car was out of control when he crashed, but the defense argued that the reason is in question during the opening arguments.

State Police testified there were no issues with the accelerator or the brakes, according to multiple reports.

At the time of the crash Casler told first responders he did not believe multiple sclerosis played a part in the crash. His attorney later called the crash a tragic medical emergency related event.

Casler had indicated earlier that he would plead guilty to the charges to avoid prolonging the tragedy. But in December 2017, when it appeared he would not be able to avoid jail time, he reversed course and said he would not plead guilty.

Casler was indicted in September 2016 on two counts of motor vehicle homicide and one count of operating a motor vehicle to endanger.

The latest: Sweet Tomatoes Fatal Crash Trial Begins

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Previously on Patch:

• Newton Sweet Tomatoes Case Pivot Brad Casler To Demand
• Sweet Tomatoes Crash: Driver 'Doesn't Deserve' To Go To Jail
• Newton Sweet Tomatoes Case Pivot Brad Casler To Demand Jury
• Newton Sweet Tomatoes Fatal Crash Trial Postponed

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Photo by Jenna Fisher/Patch Staff